Hess, South Callaway moving on after Class 2 runner-up finish in 2014

South Callaway head coach Zack Hess looks toward the field during the Jamboree at Father Tolton in Columbia, Mo.
South Callaway head coach Zack Hess looks toward the field during the Jamboree at Father Tolton in Columbia, Mo.

MOKANE, Mo. - Zack Hess understands the magnitude of his undertaking.

The South Callaway Bulldogs experienced their most extraordinary football season in school history in 2014, riding a 14-1 record to a Class 2 state runner-up finish. Tim Rulo then announced in March he was ending a remarkable seven-year run as head coach at South Callaway, moving to Jefferson City to take over at Class 4 Helias.

Hess spent five of those seasons as an assistant under Rulo, the past two as defensive coordinator. Boosted by Rulo's endorsement, Hess was selected as his successor in April to become the fourth head coach in the Bulldogs' history.

"I think it's a big responsibility," Hess said. "To be the head coach of South Callaway is a privilege and everything we've done so far - and the program that we've built - to be able to maintain that and have the high expectations, a lot of hard work comes with it.

"It's been a lot of fun, it's been good so far."

Hess and the Bulldogs will begin to author the next chapter of South Callaway football tonight when they make the long trip to the north-central part of the state to clash with Putnam County in the 2015 season opener. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

South Callaway will literally be starting over with Hess, having lost 19 starters - 10 on offense and nine on defense - when last year's skilled senior group graduated.

Despite the departure of Rulo and all of that talent, Hess stressed the Bulldogs will continue to pursue the same high standards as in the past.

"We have our goals that we set, that are pretty much the same every year," Hess said. "They have not changed this year. We're asking our players now to step up. They have to step up and replace those guys, and the production has to be there.

"... Yeah, the expectations don't change, no matter who's here or who's not here."

Hess certainly wants to establish his own imprint at South Callaway, but he will still rely on the successful template created by Rulo.

"We don't want to change something that's working so well, we don't want to reinvent the wheel whenever we've had so much success," Hess said. "But at the same time, there are going to be some changes along the way.

"It may be Year 2 or Year 3 where we start to see any changes. Like I said, we don't want major changes because we have something good going here, and we want to keep it going."

The Bulldogs are planning on 5-foot-9, 185-pound senior Ethan Livengood to replace Troy Hentges at quarterback. Livengood, though, has been dogged by a shoulder injury and didn't participate in last weekend's Jamboree.

Hess said Livengood was to be examined this week, but his status for tonight's opener remained uncertain.

"Right now, we're just taking it slow with him and we're not going to try and push him," Hess said. "Once we hear what the doctor has to say, we'll go from there. With Ethan, he's a level-headed kid and he's had experience there playing quarterback.

"He knows the offense. I just think he brings that calmness, just that sense that he's in control of the offense."

If Livengood can't go tonight, Hess is hoping his backup - sophomore Landon Horstman (6-0, 170) - will be available despite recovering from a hand injury. If that's not the case, sophomore Kaden Helsel (5-11, 155) may have to make the start against Putnam County.

Helsel, meanwhile, is expected to figure prominently as South Callaway's featured running back. Junior Bennett Hager (6-1, 175) was supposed to be part of the mix, but tore ligaments in his knee at Central Methodist's team camp early in the summer and is out for the season. Senior Ajay Cave (5-6, 155) and junior Harley Kight (5-8, 135) will also split carries.

"Kaden is such an athletic kid and we're excited about him," Hess said.

Senior Cameron Richardson (5-10, 160) is the leading candidate to be South Callaway's other running back. Seniors Patrick Barnard (5-6, 165) - who is a month or so away from returning from a leg injury, according to Hess - and Connor Stupperich (5-7, 150) will also see playing time at the position.

Meanwhile, seniors Levi Mealy (6-2, 170) and Jordan Martin (5-8, 155) will have the responsibility of replacing the dynamic pairing of Cory Hanger and Mason Shoemaker at wide receiver for the Bulldogs. South Callaway also lost a pair of taller, bulkier receivers in Dylan Hare and Luke Horstman.

The Bulldogs' lone returning starter on the offensive side is senior Dylan Bailey (5-11, 220) at left guard.

"Dylan is such a physical guy," Hess said. "He's got that nasty streak to him. He knows all of the calls, he makes all of the calls. He communicates really well on the offensive line."

Bailey will be joined up front by senior Jerry Sheehan (5-9, 170) at left tackle, senior Johnny Wyman (6-1, 250) at center, and seniors Dillon Stone (5-10, 225) and Devin Adams (5-9, 210) at right guard and right tackle, respectively.

South Callaway's two starters back on the defensive side are a pair of good ones - Stone at linebacker and senior nose guard Hunter Call (6-2, 300). Stone posted team-highs last season with 80 tackles (43 solo) and seven sacks, while also recording four fumble recoveries and an interception. Call finished with 29 tackles (16 solo).

"Dillon just has that experience," Hess said. "He knows what's going on and where people should be. He's done a good job just kind of taking charge of the defense, just being a good leader for us. Hunter is just big and nasty; he'll do a good job there."

Bailey and Wyman will serve as bookend defensive tackles on either side of Call on the line. Stone will head up a linebacker group that includes Livengood, Adams and Landon Horstman.

Helsel will follow in the footsteps of Hanger at free safety, becoming the third consecutive sophomore behind Ben Seitz and Hanger to start at the position.

"Now it's Kaden's turn," Hess said. "You have a guy that's learning the ropes as a sophomore, just trying to get his feet wet a little bit as a varsity defensive player. He's learning a new position because he played linebacker as a junior high kid.

"He's a good athlete and that helps. He's a different type of athlete, though, than a Cory Hanger - he's not quite as shifty, but he's fast and he's smart. He's picking it up really well."

Helsel will partner with the Bulldogs' two cornerbacks - Kight and junior Brandon Ashley (5-10, 150) - to patrol the secondary.

While taking pride in South Callaway's recent successes, Hess is pressing his players to focus on what's in front of them as they usher in a new era for the Bulldogs tonight.

"They're excited about what we've done, but we've got to keep moving ahead, keep looking forward," Hess said. "It's tricky, it's a balance there, a fine line you have to walk."

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Tonight: South Callaway at Putnam County - Updates on Twitter: @FultonSunSports.

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South Callaway Schedule

Here is the schedule for the South Callaway football team. All games start at 7 p.m. TBA -To Be Announced:

Aug. 21 at Putnam County

Aug. 28 at Southern Boone

Sept. 4 Clopton/Elsberry

Sept. 11 at Van-Far

Sept. 18 Wright City

Sept. 25 at North Callaway

Oct. 2 at Montgomery County

Oct. 9 Mark Twain

Oct. 16 Bowling Green

Oct. 23 District opener*

Oct. 30 District semifinal*

Nov. 6 District championship*

Nov. 14 Quarterfinals, 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 Semifinals, 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 27 State championship, at Edward Jones Dome, TBA

*Site TBD